Wagner Group

Neurovascular interactions in the cardiopulomonary system

In modern society, increased life expectancy has led to a shift in the distribution of prevalent diseases. Consequently, age-related pathologies, particularly cardiovascular diseases, rank as the leading cause of death globally. During aging, the heart undergoes various structural changes that underlie cellular alterations, resulting in reduced cardiac function. Cardiac arrhythmias and decreased heart rate variability are characteristic hallmarks of the aging heart. Both can be modulated by the autonomic nervous system, as the heart is highly innervated by efferent and afferent nerve fibers. Our research has demonstrated that sympathetic and sensory nerve fiber density decreases in the aging left ventricle, which is associated with electrical instabilities. To further understand the role of the cardiac autonomic nervous system in aging and disease, the Wagner research group focuses on neurovascular and neuro-cardiac interactions in cardiac aging, heart failure, and arrhythmias.